Daniel l



(N0 Model.)

D. WILUOX. GROSS BOW.

- No. 269,249. Patented De0.19, 1882.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL L. \VILGOX, OF PAWTUOKET, RHODE ISLAND.

C ROSS-BOW.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,249, dated December 19, 1882.

Application filed June 9, 1882. (No mode To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL L. witoox, of Pawtucket, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Toy Spring-Guns; and I do hereby declare that the following specification, taken in connection with the drawings furnished and forming a part of the same, is a clear, true, and complete description of my invention.

The main objects of myinvention are to provide for such simplicity in construction as will enablethis classofgnnsto beproducedcheaply, and render them readily convertible from guns capable of throwing a projectile to such as are well adapted to drilling in the manual of arms and the school of the company.

After a full description of my invention the separate features thereof will be specified in the several clauses of claim hereunto annexed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents one of my guns complete as arranged forthrowing projectiles. Fig.2 represents the same as arranged for drilling. Fig. 3 is a view of the spring-bar, springs, and projectile-carriage detached. Figs.4 and 5 arerespectively views of the carriage and gun-barrel in crosssection. Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively views of the handknob and spring-bar thumb-screw detached. Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively end views of the gun-barrel and the shank of the bayonet, illustrating their mode of connection. Fig. 10 is a view of one form of projectile well suited for use with my gun.

ThestookA and barrel B are integrally composed of wood, as heretofore. The stock on one side has the usual covered pocket or magazine, a, for the reception of projectiles. The barrel is grooved on its upper edge, as is common with cross-bow guns. On each side, extending from the stock to the end of the barrel, is a longitudinal recess or groove, 12. The trigger a has a spring and catch, 0, substantially as heretofore. Mounted on top of the barrel is the projectile-carriage O, which extends on each side down over the side of the barrel, and has on each of its sides aspline,d, which occupies the adjacent longitudinal recess b on the side of the gun-barrehand therefore said carriage is limited to a free longitudi: nalmovement upon said barrel. This carriage is preferably composed of asolid piece of wood,

and at its front end it is semi-cylindrically chambered, as at e, to correspond with the groove on the upper side of the barrel and atford a chamber for the endwise reception of the projectile, one form of which is shown in Fig. 10. The rear end of the chamber 0 is in contact with the butt of the projectile when ready for firing. A small metallic plate, f, projects downwardly from the carriage at the rear of chamber e into the groove of the gunbarrel for engagement by the catch 0 of the trigger. On each side of the carriage thereis a screw-eye, g, to which one end of the springs h are connected. These springs may be composed of rubber in the form of heavy bands, or of coiled spring-steel. The opposite ends of the springs engage with screw-eyes 1; near theendsof the bow-shaped spring-bark. This spring bar is ordinarily termed a bow, whether it be rigid or a true bow cooperating with the springs, as is the case in the more expensive varieties of guns. This spring-bar is mounted in an open mortise, l, at the under side of the barrel, at a proper distance from its end, and it is secured therein by means of a thumb-screw, m, passing through the bar and tapped into a hole in the barrel.

So far as my knowledge extends I have, for the first time, provided for the ready and coniplete detachment of the firing apparatus from the barrel, leaving the latter in proper condition for drilling at the manual of arms.

It will be seen that on removing the thumbscrew in the bow or spring-bar is readily removable from its open mortise, and the carriage and its springs are removable integrally therewith, because the carriage can slide freely over and from the end of the barrel.

The separation of rubber bands from their screw-eyes and remounting the same is fre quently attended by injury to the bands, and if coiled metal springs are used their attachment and detachment is a difiieult and troublesome matter.

In order to prevent injuring the fingers of the barrel-supporting hand in firing, I have provided, as heretofore, the screw hand-knob a, which is also readily detachable from the barrel, as is necessary fordrilling.

- The bayonet D is composed of wood and in form it corresponds generally with that of the ordinary bayonet, and it is usually coated with a metallic-suifaced paint to resemble steel. It has a mortise, 0, on one side of its shank, open at one side and at the end, and the walls of said mortise are inclined, as shown in Fig. 9, to receive the correspondingly-shaped end of the gun-barrel, as seen in Fig. 8, thus affording, as with prior metal bayonets, a reliable dovetail connection of the barrel and bayonet, and this well-known mode of connecting'these parts, so that the bayonet is wholly below the grooved portion of the barrel, enables the bayonet to be retained in position without in any manner interfering with the flight of a projectile along and from the end of the grooved barrel. t

It will be seen that the open grooved barrel and the chambered carriage enable the'projectile to be thrown with accuracy, because the carriage maintains full control over the projectile up to the time the latter leaves the carriage, at which time said carriage is not far from the muzzle end of the gun, thus rendering a cylindrical barrel unnecessary and enabling the gun to be loaded at the breech instead of at the muzzle, as when the cylindrical longitudinally-slotted barrel is used, as heretofore.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as newi 1. The combination,with the barrel lon gitudinally grooved on top and recessed on each side, of a spring-bar detachably connected to the barrel, a projectile-carriage fitted to the side recesses on the barrel, and springs connecting the same to said detachable bar, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a spring-bar, springs, and tirojectile-carriage connected together, as described, with a barrel having an open mortise for the spring-bar, and splines for the can riage extended to its muzzle or front end of the barrel, substantially as described, whereby said bar, springs, and carriage are, without their separation, readily detached from the barrel.

DANIEL L. VVILCOX.

Witnesses:

JosEPH W. MILLS, EZRA Brass. 

